Sitting in the stand of the sports arenaWaiting for the show to beginRed lights, green lightsStrawberry wineA good friend of mineFollows the stars –Venus and Mars are alright tonight

ROCK SHOW

Whats that man holding in his hand?He looks a lot like a guy I knew way back whenIt’s silly willy with the Philly bandCould be….. Oo-ee….. Tell me, what’s that man movin’ cross the stage?It looks a lot like the one used by Jimmy PageIt’s like a relic from a different ageCould be….. Oo-ee…..

If there’s a ROCK SHOWat the ConcertgebouwThey’ve got long hairat the Madison SquareYou’ve got Rock and Roll at the Hollywood Bowlwe’ll be there….Oh yeah…

The lights go downThey’re back in town O.K.Behind the stacks you glimpse an axeThe tension mounts you score an ounce, ole!Temperatures rise as you see the whites of their eyes…

If there’s a ROCK SHOWat the ConcertgebouwYou’ve got long hair

at the Madison SquareThey’ve got Rock and Roll at the Hollywood Bowlwe’ll be there...Oh yeah…

In my green metal suit I’m preparing to shoot up the cityAnd the ring at the end of my nose makes me look rather prettyIt’s a pity there’s nobody hereto witness the end. . . . . Save for my dear old friend and confidanteMademoiselle Kitty

Whats that man movin’ to and fro?That decibel meter doesn’t seem to be reading low.But they was louder at the Rainbow Could be ­– Oo-ee. . . . .

Who’s that there? Oh, it’s you babe.Come on now, we’re going down to the rock show.Remember last week when I promised I was gonna buy a good seat at the rock showWell I bought it Come on now get your dress on, place your wig on straight.We can’t be late, come on, we’ve got a date,We’re goin’ down to the rock show.

Love in Song

My heart cries out for loveand all that goes with lovingLove in song, love in song

My, you’re so fine When love is mineI can’t go wrong,Love in song, love in song.

I can see the places thatwe used to go to now

Happiness in the homeland

My eye cries out A tear still bornMisunderstandingLove in songLove in song.

I can see the places thatwe used to go to nowHappiness in the homeland

Happiness in the homeland

My, you’re so fine When love is mineI can’t go wrong.Love in song Love in song.

Love in song.

You Gave Me The Answer

You gave me the answer
to love eternally……
I love you and—you
you seem to like me

Wherever we wander
The local folk agree
I love you and—you
you seem to like me.

Heading back to old familiar places
Places where the cobwebs blow away
I can forget the airs and graces

Shall we dance?
This is fun
We should do this more often

You’ll never be crowned
By the aristocracy.
To their delight, you’d merely invite
them in for a cup of tea……….
and I love you and—you
you seem to like
you seem to like
you seem to like
me

Magneto and Titanium Man

Well I was talking last night
Magneto and Titanium Man…
We were talking about you, babe
Oo–They said–

You was involved in a robbery
That was due to happen
At a quarter to three
In the main street.

I didn’t believe themMagneto and Titanium Man…
But when the Crimson Dynamo
Finally assured me, well, I knew

You was involved in a robbery
That was due to happen
At a quarter to three
In the main street

So we went out
Magneto and Titanium Man…
And the Crimson Dynamo
Came along for the ride

We went to town with the library
and we swung all over that
long tall bank in the main street.

Well there she were and to my despair
She’s a five-star criminal
Breaking the code

Magneto said “Now the time has come”
“To gather our forces and RUN!!!”
Oh no…..This can’t be so…..

And then it occurred to me!

You couldn’t be bad...
Magneto was mad!
Titanium too!
And the Crimson Dynamo
Just couldn’t cut it no more
YOU WERE THE LAW…

Letting Go

Ah she tastes like wine
Such a human being so divine
Oh she feels like sun
Mother nature look at what you’ve done

Oh I feel like letting go
Oh I feel like letting go.

Ah – she looks like snow
I want to put her in a Broadway show
Ah she’ll dance and dine
Like a lucifer she’ll always shine

Oh – I feel like letting go
Oh – I feel like letting go

Oh – I feel like letting go
Oh – I feel like letting go

Ah she sings it so
I want to put her on the radio
One day and there you are
Ladies and Gentlemen
A brand new star.

Oh I feel like letting go
Oh I feel like letting go

Venus and Mars - Reprise

Standing in the hall
of the great cathedral
Waiting for the transport to come
Starship 21ZNA9.

A good friend of mine
Studies the stars
Venus and Mars
are alright tonight

Come away on a strange vacation
Holiday hardly begun
Run into a good friend of mine
Sold me her sign
Reach for the stars
Venus and Mars
are alright tonight

Spirits of Ancient Egypt

You’re my baby, and I love you
You can take a pound of love
And cook it in the stew……

When you’ve finished doing that
I know what you’ll want to do
Cos you’re my baby and I love you

I’m your baby
do you love me?
I can drive a cadillac
across the Irish sea
– but when I’ve finished doing that
I know where I’ll want to be
Cos I’m your baby, and you love me.

Spirits of ancient Egypt
Shadows of ancient Rome
Spirits of ancient Egypt
hung on the telly
hung on the telly
hung on the telephone….

You’re my baby
I know you know
You could sell an elevator
To Geronimo
And when you’re finished doing that
I know where you’ll want to go
Cos you’re my baby, I know you know

Spirits of Ancient Egypt
Echoes of sunken Spain
Spirits of ancient Egypt
Hung on the phone – a –hung on the
Phone a-hung on the phone
…..again…..

Medicine Jar

What’s wrong with you?
I wish I knew
You say time will tell
I hope that’s true

There’s more to life
Than blues and reds
I say, I know how you feel
now your friends are dead.
Dead on your feet
you won’t get far
If you keep on sticking your hand
In the medicine jar.

Now don’t give up
Whatever you do
You say time will tell
I hope that’s true
If you go down and lose your head
I say, I know how you feel
now your friends are dead….
Dead on your feet
you won’t get far
If you keep on sticking your hand
In the medicine jar.
Dead on your feet
you won’t get far
If you keep on sticking your hand
In the medicine jar.

What can I do?
I can’t let go
You say time will heal
but very slow
So don’t forget the things you said
I say I know how you feel
Now your friends are dead.

Dead on your feet,
you won’t go far
If you keep on sticking your hand
in the medicine jar.
Dead on your feet
you won’t get far
If you keep on sticking your hand
In the medicine jar…[Repeat]

Call Me Back Again

Well when I, when I was
Just a little baby boy
Every night I would call
Your number brought me joy

I called your house, every night since then
But I ain’t never, no no never
Heard you calling me
Come on and call me back again
Come on and call me back again

I’ve heard your name
every night since then
But I ain’t never, no no never
Heard you calling me
Come on and call me back again
Yeah call me back again

Well when I, when I was
just a little baby boy
Every night,
every night I would call
because your number brought me joy

Oh -– I’ve called your name
every night since then
But I ain’t never, no no no no never
Heard you calling me
Come on and call me back again

I’ve called your name
Every night since then
But I ain’t never, no no no no never
Heard you calling me
Come on and call me back again
Come on and call me back again
Come on and call me back again
Boo hoo, boo hoo babe
Call me back again

Call me back again
Call me back again
Why won’t you call me back again? [to fade]

Listen To What The Man Said

Any time, any day,
You can hear the people say,
That love is blind
Well I don’t know but I say love is kind

Soldier boy kisses girl
Leaves behind a tragic world
But he won’t mind
He’s in love and he says love is fine

Oh–yes, indeed we know
That people will find a way to go
No matter what the man said
And love is fine for all we know
For all we know, our love will grow
–that’s what the man said
So won’t you listen to what the man said

He said…

Oh–yes, indeed we know
That people will find a way to go
No matter what the man said
And love is fine for all we know
For all we know, our love will grow
–that’s what the man said
So won’t you listen to what the man said

He said…

Oh–yes, indeed we know
That people will find a way to go
No matter what the man said
And love is fine for all we know
For all we know, our love will grow
–that’s what the man said
So won’t you listen to what the man said

The wonder of it all baby……
The wonder of it all baby……
The wonder of it all baby……

Treat Her Gently / Lonely Old People

Treat her gently
Treat her kind
She doesn’t even know her own mind.

Treat her simply
Take it slow
Make it easy
and let her know
You’ll never find another way

Here we sit
Two lonely old people
Eking our lives away

Bit by bit
Two lonely old people
Keeping the time of day

Here we sit
Out of breath
And nobody asked us to play
Old people’s home for the day
Nobody asked us to play

Treat her gently
Treat her kind
She doesn’t even know her own mind

Treat her simply
Make it slow
Take it easy
and let her know
You’ll never find another way

Here we sit
Two lonely old people
Eking our lives away

Bit by bit
Two lonely old people
Keeping the time of day

Here we sit
Out of breath
And nobody asked us to play

Old people’s home for the day
Nobody asked us to play

Crossroads

Instrumental

Let ‘Em In

Someone knocking at the door
Somebody ringing the bell
Someone’s knocking at the door
Somebody’s ringing the bell
Do me a favour
Open the door
And let ‘em in

Oh yeah

Someone’s knocking at the door
Somebody’s ringing the bell
Someone’s knocking at the door
Somebody’s ringing the bell
Do me a favour
Open the door
And let ‘em in
Let ‘ em in

Sister Suzy, Brother John
Martin Luther, Phil and Don
Brother Michael, Auntie Gin
Open the door and let ‘em in

Oh yeah

Sister Suzy, Brother John
Martin Luther, Phil and Don
Uncle Ernie, Auntie Gin
Open the door and let ‘em in

Yeah, yeah

Someone’s knocking at the door
Somebody’s ringing the bell
Someone’s knocking at the door
Somebody’s ringing the bell
Do me a favour
Open the door
And let ‘em in

Oh yeah, yeah, let ‘ em in now

Sister Suzy, Brother John
Martin Luther, Phil and Don
Uncle Ernie, Uncle Ian
Open the door and let ‘em in

Yeah, yeah

Someone’s knocking at the door
Somebody’s ringing the bell
Someone’s knocking at the door
Somebody’s ringing the bell
Do me a favour
Open the door
And let ‘em in
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

The Note You Never Wrote

Later on, the story goes
A bottle floated out to sea
After days, when it had found the perfect spot
It opened up
And I read the note
That you never wrote to me
After all, I’m sure you know
The Mayor of Baltimore is here
After days now he can finally appear
Now at last he’s here
But he never is gonna get my vote
Cos he never is gonna get a quote
From the little note that you never wrote to me
Further on, along the line
I was arrested on the shore
Holding papers of governments galore
I was taken in
But I read the note that you never wrote
Yes, I read the note that you never wrote
Oh, I read the note that you never wrote to me
To me. To me. To me

She’s My Baby

My baby, she comes out at night
She’s taking me by surprise
She’s my baby
Like gravy, down to the last drop
I keep mopping her up
Oh yeah, she’s my baby
She’s a baby in the morning time
When the sleep is in her eyes
Then the world is waking up
She has arisen
Oh believe me, I ain’t lyin’
She’s a woman
She’s the lady of the evening tide
When the stars are in the skies
That’s the time she changes
Back into a kitten,
Oh believe me, I ain’t lyin’
She’s my baby
She comes out at night
She’s taking me by surprise
She’s my baby
Like gravy, down to the last drop
I keep mopping her up
Yeah, yeah, yeah, she’s my baby

Well, she’s a baby in the morning time
When the sleep is in her eyes
And the world is waking her up
She has arisen
Oh believe me, I ain’t lyin’
She’s a woman

She’s the lady of the evening tide
When the stars are in the skies
That’s the time she changes
Back into a kitten
Oh believe me, I ain’t lyin’

She’s my baby, she comes out at night
She’s taking me by surprise
Yeah, she’s my baby
Oh, like gravy, down to the last drop,
I keep mopping it up, mopping it up
Yeah, she’s my baby

[Repeat to fade]

Beware My Love

Can’t say I’ve found out
I can’t tell you what it’s all about
Don’t know who does
I tell you to beware, my love
Beware, my love, beware, my love
Beware, my love, beware, my love
Beware, my love

Oh, oh, oh, no, no, no
I must be wrong, baby

But I don’t believe that he’s the one
But if you insist, I must be wrong
I must be wrong, I have to leave
And when I’m gone
I’ll leave my message in my song
That’s right

Beware, my love, he’ll bowl you over
Beware, my love, before you’re much older
He’ll sweep you up under his carpet
You’d be in luck if you could stop it
Come on now

Beware, my love

Let me tell you
Well he’ll wear you out, and in a minute
You’ll hear a shout, and then you’ll be in it
So, so now beware my love, cos he’ll take you under
Beware, my love, the sound of his thunder

Yeah
But I don’t believe that he’s the one
But if you insist, I must be wrong
I must be wrong
But I have to leave, and when I’m gone
I’ll leave my message in my song
That’s where I’m gonna leave it

Come on, beware, my love
Cos you know he’ll bowl you over

Beware, my love, before you’re much older
He’s gonna, yeah he’s gonna wear you out
Well in a minute, you’ll hear a shout
and then you’ll be in it
Baby gonna be there
Baby beware
Beware, beware, my love

I don’t know if I can stand it anymore
I’m just gonna say to you my love
That you’d better be there

Doctor Tom is getting on
All he does is sign his name
I get things, my brainbox sings
But I’ll go down again
Play with fire, getting higher
Higher than a nine foot flame
My soul is spent and so’s the rent
But I’ll go down again
Wino Junko can’t say no
Wino Junko, eyes aglow
Pill freak spring a leak
You can’t say no till you go down again
This and that you crazy cat
Flying sideways once again
I’m in a spin, it makes me grin
But I’ll go down again
Wino Junko can’t say no
Wino Junko, eyes aglow
Pill freak spring a leak
You can’t say no till you go down again
Wino Junko can’t say no
Wino Junko, eyes aglow
Pill freak spring a leak
You can’t say no till you go down again
Till you go down (you go down) again
Till you go down again
Till you go down
Take what I need until I bleed
People will say I’ve gone insane
Ain’t scared to die, it’s such a high
Till I go down again
Wino Junko can’t say no
Wino Junko eyes aglow
Pill freak spring a leak
You can’t say no till you go down again
Wino Junko can’t say no
Wino Junko eyes aglow
Pill freak, spring a leak
You can’t say no till you go down again
Till you go down (you go down) again
Till you go down again
Wino Junko. Wino Junko

Silly Love Songs

You’d think that people would have
had enough of silly love songs
But I look around me
and I see it isn’t so
Some people want to fill the world
with silly love songs
and what’s wrong with that?
I’d like to know
cos here I go again

I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you

Ah, I can’t explain
the feeling’s plain to me
Now can’t you see?
Ah, she gave me more
she gave it all to me
Now can’t you see?
What’s wrong with that?
I need to know
cos here I go again

I love you, I love you

Love doesn’t come in a minute
Sometimes it doesn’t come at all
I only know that when I’m in it
It isn’t silly, no, it isn’t silly
Love isn’t silly at all

How can I tell you about my loved one?
How can I tell you about my loved one?
How can I tell you about my loved one?
How can I tell you about my loved one?

I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you

Ah, I can’t explain
The feeling’s plain to me
Say, can’t you see?

Ah, he gave me more
He gave it all to me
Say, can’t you see?

Ah, I can’t explain
The feeling’s plain to me
Say, can’t you see?

Ah, he gave me more
He gave it all to me
Say, can’t you see?

Ah, I can’t explain
The feeling’s plain to me
Say, can’t you see?

Ah, he gave me more
He gave it all to me
Say, can’t you see?

You’d think that people would have
had enough of silly love songs
But I look around me and I see it isn’t so, oh no,
Some people want to fill the world
with silly love songs
And what’s wrong with that?

Cook of The House

Ground rice, sugar, vinegar, seco salt
macaroni too
Cook of the house
I’m the cook of the house

No matter where I serve my guests
They seem to like the kitchen best
‘Cause I’m the cook of the house
Cook of the house

The salad’s in the bowl
The rice is on the stove
Green beans in the colander
And where the rest is
Heaven only knows

Cinnamon, garlic, salt, pepper
Cornbread, curry powder, coffee too
Cook of the house
I’m the cook of the house

No, matter where I serve my guests
They seem to like the kitchen best
‘Cause I’m the cook of the house
Cook of the house

And the rest is heaven only knows

Cinnamon, garlic, salt, pepper
Cornbread, curry powder, coffee too
Cook of the house
That’s the cook of the house
I’m the cook of the house
She’s the cook of the house
No matter where I serve my guests
They seem to like the kitchen best
‘Cause I’m the cook of the house
That’s cook of the house
Cook of the house
She’s the cook of the house
Cook of the house
That’s the cook of the house
I’m the cook of the house
Take it fellow

Time To Hide

If I have to run
I’m not runnin’ out on you
If I have to shake a little
Sand out of my shoes
I’m runnin’ from the law
Or they’ll put me inside

Baby, won’t you let me have
A little time to hide
Baby, won’t you let me have
A little time to hide

I’ve been on the run
Since the Good Lord knows when
And the day I die
I’ll still be runnin’ then
Runnin’ from the days
When I would lay me down and cry

Baby, won’t you let me have
A little time to hide
Baby, won’t you let me have
A little time to hide

Will I love you tomorrow?
Yes, I will, my love
Yes, I will, my love
Will I beg, steal or borrow?
Yes, I will, my love
Yes, I will, my love

To spend a little time
Happy to be by your side
Baby, won’t you let me have
A little time to hide

Baby, won’t you let me have
A little time to hide

If I have to run
I’m not runnin’ out on you
If I have to shake a little
Sand out of my shoes
I’m runnin’ from the law
Or they’ll put me inside

Baby, won’t you let me have
A little time to hide
Baby, won’t you let me have
A little time to hide
Baby, won’t you let me have
A little time
Baby, won’t you let me have
A little time
Baby, won’t you let me have
A little time to hide

Must Do Something About It

I’ve just seen another sunset on my own.
All day long I’ve been alone
And I must do something about it
Yes I must do something about it

Played another losing card game with myself
Lonely joker on a shelf
And I must do something about it
Yes I must do something about it

No one on the party line
No one seems to need a dime
No one even knows that I’m feeling this way

No one seems to need my vote
No one has to change a note
No one here to hold my coat
Oh, what a day

I’ve just watched another movie on T.V
No one’s in the house but me
And I must do something about it
Yes I must do something about it

Oh, oh, something about it

I’ve just dialled another number on my phone
All day long I’ve been alone
And I must do something about it
Yes I must do something about it

I’ve just seen another sunset on my own.
All day long I’ve been alone
And I must do something about it
Yes I must do something about it
Must do something about it
Yes I must do something about it

PLAYLIST

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VENUS AND MARS / AT THE SPEED OF SOUND

OUT 3rd November (UK) / 4th November (US)

Scroll down to explore The Band

Wings

Wings are one of the most successful acts the UK has ever produced, achieving no less than 14 US Top 10 hits and 12 Top 10 hits in the UK.

Before recording for ‘Venus and Mars’ started, Paul worked on his brother Michael’s album ‘McGear’ in April 1974. They had originally planned to record one single - ‘Leave It’ - but the project grew into a whole album.

Le Richelieu Hotel on Chartres Street was the band’s home in New Orleans during the recording of ‘Venus and Mars’. The hotel now has ‘The Paul McCartney Suite’ which was Paul and Linda’s room during their stay.

Paul had visited New Orleans before when The Beatles played live in the city. During their visit Paul got to meet local musician Fats Domino.

Paul felt so at home in the New Orleans recording studio that he would sometimes arrive at sessions still wearing his bedroom slippers!

Paul had been reading quite a bit of science fiction around the recording of ‘Venus and Mars’ including Isaac Asimov’s ‘Foundation’. This contributed to the album’s space theme.

The song ‘Magneto and Titanium Man’ came from Paul rediscovering an interest in American comics, something he had loved reading growing up.

The song ‘Spirits of Ancient Egypt’ also came from a literary influence after Chet Atkins recommended he read ‘The Secrets of the Great Pyramid’ by Peter Tompkins.

The song ‘San Ferry Anne’ was a play on the French phrase “Ca ne fait rien” (“Never mind”). Paul is a self-confessed lover of words and language and enjoyed taking a phrase and turning it into a character.

Silly Love Songs’ was based on how it was ‘un-cool’ to like love songs, but nevertheless millions of people did. The song is also name checked by Questlove as being one of his favourite songs from that period.

Paul wrote ‘Silly Love Songs’ in Honolulu whilst on holiday with Linda and the kids. During that trip he “got the album together in my head”.

The song ‘She’s My Baby’ was written by Paul about Linda. He refers to it as “my ode to Linda”.

Paul considers the album track ‘Warm and Beautiful’ to be one of his “very good songs” and amongst his “favourite melodies”.

Paul wanted ‘At The Speed Of Sound’ to be viewed more as a band album resulting in five of the 11 tracks sung by the other members of the band.

Paul conducted the strings on several of the orchestral overdubs recorded at Abbey Road Studios.

Paul’s own harmonium features on ‘At The Speed Of Sound’. Instead of bringing the instrument into the studio, they took a mobile studio up to Paul’s home around the corner from Abbey Road Studios.

During the writing period for ‘Venus and Mars’ Linda coined the band name Suzy and the Red Stripes as some of the locals referred to her by the name ‘Suzy’. The ‘Red Stripe’ part comes from the famous Jamaica beer.

Suzy and the Red Stripes released Linda’s song ‘Seaside Woman’ single in 1977. The song was originally written during a different family holiday in Jamaica in 1971 and recorded in 1972 during plans for a proposed Linda solo album.

Linda wrote ‘Cook of the House’ for ‘At The Speed Of Sound’ while in Australia. The song is, in-part, based around a plaque she and Paul bought whilst in Niagara Falls which hung in their kitchen and read, “No matter where I serve my guests. They seem to like the kitchen best."

‘Cook of the House’ was recorded with an intentional rockabiliy feel. Paul is quoted in the Deluxe Edition saying the fifties “was when her music taste buds awoke” and the track is an homage to that period.

Linda’s ‘Cook of the House’ also features the strangest instrument to appear on the album; a frying pan!

You can hear Linda frying a pan of oil during the intro to ‘Cook of the House’. At the end of the song you can hear chips (fries) being dropped into the hot fat.

Around the time of ‘Venus and Mars’ there was a big interest in astrology. When people would ask Linda her sign she would reply ‘No Parking’.

For the album’s wrap party on the Queen Mary cruise liner Linda personally selected the food choosing to go with creole cuisine, a tip of the hat to their time in New Orleans.

For the cover photo Linda was standing on a cherry picker in Leicester Square directing two people on ladders who were arranging the letters on the Odeon cinema.

Denny was a founding member of The Moody Blues who supported The Beatles on their second UK tour.

Paul was a big fan of the song ‘Go Now’ which was covered by Denny during his time with The Moody Blues, even encouraging radio producers to check it out.

Wings often performed The Moody Blues tune ‘Go Now’ on tour and is featured on the album ‘Wings over America’.

Denny had a gun pulled on him whilst the band were in New Orleans when he got tired of waiting to be served in a shop and started to leave!

Although Paul wrote ‘Spirits of Ancient Egypt’ Denny ended up taking the lead vocals on the song.

Denny played electric and acoustic guitar, Moog, sitar, hand bells, piano, congas and bongos on ‘Venus and Mars’. He also sang lead vocals on ‘Spirits of Ancient Egypt’ and backing vocals on many of the album’s songs.

‘Time To Hide’ came out of Paul encouraging Denny to do more writing and is still a very popular song when he performs live.

Denny enjoyed recording in Abbey Road and has many fond memories of the studios including visiting whilst The Beatles were recording ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’.

The song ‘The Note You Never Wrote’ was written by Paul with Denny in mind to sing lead vocals.

Jimmy formed his first band - Cumbernauld - in 1964 at age 11 with his older brother Jack.

In 1969, at 16, Jimmy became the youngest person in Britain to play on a number one single with Thunderclap Newman’s track ‘Something In The Air’.

Paul had wanted Jimmy to join Wings for some time but didn’t want to poach him from another band. As luck would have it, Jimmy was free at the same time Wings were looking for a new guitarist.

Jimmy wrote the anti-drug tune ‘Medicine Jar’ for ‘Venus and Mars’ with his friend Colin Eric Allen. The two had previously been band mates in the group Stone the Crows.

Jimmy wrote ‘Wino Junko’ for ‘At The Speed Of Sound’, again partnering with Colin Eric Allen who also co-wrote ‘Medicine Jar’.

Paul is quoted in the Deluxe Edition as saying ‘Wino Junko’ and ‘Medicine Jar’ are both “about someone who knows they can’t resist extremes”.

Jimmy played electric, acoustic and 12-string guitar, Moog, drums and hand bells on ‘Venus and Mars’. He also took lead vocal on ‘Medicine Jar’ as well as singing backing vocals on a number of tunes on the album.

Jimmy’s first recording with Wings was on ‘Junior’s Farm’.

Jimmy left Wings in 1977 to join the reformed Small Faces.

Jimmy passed away in September 1979. He was 26.

Joe was spotted playing drums by trombonist Tony Dorsey in the band Tall Dogs in New Orleans when Wings were looking to replace the recently departed Geoff Britton.

Joe is quoted in the ‘Venus and Mars’ Deluxe Edition as saying, “When I was 13, I sat on my couch, my parents went to bed, The Ed Sullivan Show came on and there was The Beatles. I remember it like it was yesterday. I sat on that couch and said, ‘I’d like to be like that one day!’ And my parents bought me a drum set at 13 or 14 years old, and that was it. I was on my way.” Ironically 11 years later he wound up being band-mates with Paul.

Joe’s nickname in Wings was ‘Funky Joe’.

Joe played drums, percussion, hand bells, gong on ‘Venus and Mars’ as well as contributing backing vocals to many of the album’s songs.

Joe stayed with Wings until 1977 when he moved back to the US.

Joe would close his eyes and grit his teeth when playing drums making him look like he was smiling.

Joe sings Paul’s song ‘Must Do Something About It’ on ‘At The Speed Of Sound’.

When interviewed for the ‘At The Speed Of Sound’ Deluxe Edition Joe says he read the lyrics for ‘Must Do Something About It’ recently and remarks on how closely he related to them. At the time of the album sessions he was trying to balance his musical life in London, and his family life back in the US.

Joe recorded four albums with Wings - ‘Venus and Mars’, ‘At The Speed Of Sound’, ‘Wings over America’ and ‘London Town’.

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Paul

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Linda

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Denny

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Jimmy

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Joe

Venus & Mars

Following 1973’s Band on the Run the mid ‘ 70s were a commercial heyday for Wings. Venus and Mars, the band’s fourth studio album was released in May 1975 ahead of the legendary ‘Wings Over The World’ tour. Preceded by the US Number One single ‘Listen To What The Man Said’, Venus and Mars hit the Number One spot in the album charts on both sides of the Atlantic and went on to sell over 4 million copies worldwide to date.

At The Speed of Sound

At The Speed Of Sound was recorded in the midst of the same tour and released in March 1976. In the US it enjoyed the same chart success as its predecessor. Including the international smash hit single ‘Silly Love Songs’, the album went on to become Paul’s most successful American chart album spending seven consecutive weeks at Number One. In the UK it charted at Number Two, narrowly missing out on the top spot. Sales to date exceed 3.5 million worldwide.

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The photo of Paul and Linda at the carnival inside ‘Venus and Mars’ was intentionally reversed in the original release (you can see backwards writing on the photographer’s t-shirt to the right of Paul). The Deluxe Edition release has switched the image back again.

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In 1974 Wings comprised of Paul, Linda and Denny Laine. Before the ‘Venus and Mars’ sessions they began looking for a new drummer and guitarist.

In May 1974 Londoner Geoff Britton joined the band to be replaced early in 1975 by Joe English.

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The album reached number one and went platinum in the USA, and number two and gold in the UK.

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Paul wrote ‘Silly Love Songs’ during a family holiday to Honolulu, Hawaii in November 1975.

Venus and Mars

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Let ‘Em In

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In June of 1974 the newly augmented five piece - Paul, Linda, Denny, Jimmy and Geoff - flew to Nashville to get to know each other and rehearse new songs. The track ‘Junior’s Farm’ - inspired by the Tennessee countryside - was written and recorded during this trip.

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‘Venus and Mars’ was released on 27th May 1975 on Capitol in the US, and on 30th May 1975 in the UK through Parlophone.

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Wings entered Abbey Road Studios in January of 1976 to begin recording ‘At The Speed Of Sound’. It took six weeks to complete. Paul said it could have been quicker, but he wanted to let ideas develop whilst in the studio.

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Five of the eleven tracks are sung by other members of the band as Paul wanted to make the album a group effort. Paul sings Let ‘Em In, She’s My Baby, Beware My Love, Silly Love Songs, San Ferry Anne and Warm and Beautiful. Linda sings Cook of the House. Denny sings lead on ‘The Note You Never Wrote’ and Time To Hide. Jimmy sings on Wino Junko and Joe on Must Do Something About It.

Rock Show

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The Note You Never Wrote

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The Tennessee trip also resulted in the recording of the single ‘Walking In the Park with Eloise’ (a song written by Paul’s father James) and ‘Bridge On The River Suite’ which was released under the name The Country Hams.

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Paul wrote much of ‘Venus and Mars’ whilst on a family holiday in Jamaica in December 1974. It was also during this holiday he worked out the album’s running order by laying the lyric sheets on the floor, moving them around until satisfied and then taping them together to create a ‘makimono’ of the release. This scroll has been recreated in the Deluxe Edition of the ‘Venus and Mars’ reissue.

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The doorbell ringing at the opening of ‘Let ‘Em In’ is from Paul’s London home.

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You can hear Linda frying a pan of oil during the intro to ‘Cook of the House’. At the end of the song you can hear chips (fries) being dropped into the hot fat.

Love in Song

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She’s My Baby

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Wings flew to New Orleans in January 1975 to record ‘Venus and Mars’. They were met at the airport by a traditional street band.

Paul and the band were in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. To avoid being spotted they made themselves unrecognisable by wearing clown’s make-up. Photos of Paul and Linda in clown make up can be seen in the Deluxe Edition of ‘Venus and Mars’.

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The song ‘You Gave Me The Answer’ is Paul’s take on the music featured in the films of Fred Astaire and the BBC’s Billy Cotton Band radio show. His father James had a dance band in the 1920s called Jim Mac’s Jazz Band and he would play a lot of this type of music on the piano at home when Paul was growing up. The song title is now used on Paul’s website for a monthly fan Q&A.

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Paul mentions several of his friends and relatives in the track ‘Let ‘Em In’. ‘Sister Suzy’ is a reference to Linda, who wrote the song ‘Seaside Woman’ in Jamaica under the name ‘Suzy and the Red Stripes’ in 1971; ‘Brother John’ is John Lennon, but also applies to Linda’s brother, John Eastman; ‘Auntie Gin’ is Paul’s Auntie Jane; ‘Phil and Don’ is the Everly Brothers; ‘Martin Luther’ is Martin Luther King; ‘Brother Michael’ is Paul’s brother Michael, but also applies to Michael Jackson; ‘Uncle Ernie’ refers to The Who song ‘Fiddle About’ and ‘Uncle Ian’ is Paul’s cousin.

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Paul wrote ‘Let ‘Em in’ with a party in mind, specifically a New Year’s Eve party in Liverpool which was held at Paul’s Auntie Jane and cousin Ian Harris’ house.

You Gave Me The Answer

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Beware My Love

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The album reached number 1 on both sides of the Atlantic and has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide.

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Scottish guitarist Jimmy McCulloch joined Wings having previously played with Thunderclap Newman, John Mayall and Stone The Crows.

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Before joining Wings, Denny Laine was into folk music and busy exploring his own Electric String Band. Paul, John and Peter Asher went to watch him at a Jimi Hendrix show, which secured him a phone call from Paul and a place in Wings.

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The Moody Blues - of which Denny was a founding member - toured with The Beatles on their second British tour. When they played, Paul used to stand in the wings at the side of the stage.

Magneto and Titanium Man

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Wino Junko

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The album version of ‘Letting Go’ features Geoff Britton on drums. Before the single was released the band returned to the studio to re-dub the track with Joe English playing the drums.

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At the end of February 1975 Wings flew to Los Angeles to complete overdubs and begin mixing the album.

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She’s My Baby’ was a song written by Paul about Linda. He refers to it as his ‘ode to Linda’.

Letting Go

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Silly Love Songs

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During the Long Beach boat party Professor Longhair performed live for the guests. This appearance was recorded and later released by MPL in 1978 as ‘Live On The Queen Mary’, still regarded by many as his best album.

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Paul asked friend George Melly to write the press kit to accompany ‘Venus and Mars’. Melly was a fellow Liverpudlian and both shared an interest in surrealism and collected the paintings of Rene Magritte. Paul had also seen Melly performing at a fair near Penny Lane back in Liverpool.

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Questlove (of The Roots) names Silly Love Songs and My Love as two of his favourite records of the 70s in his book Mo’ Meta Blues: The World According to Questlove.

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Linda wrote Cook of the House whilst renting a house on tour in Australia. One of the lyrics came from a plaque they (Paul and Linda) had bought for the kitchen with the words ‘No matter where I serve my guests. They seem to like my kitchen best.’

Venus and Mars - Reprise

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Cook of The House

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There was a pool table in the Nashville studio and someone remarked during the recording sessions that the balls looked a bit like planets. The title ‘Venus and Mars’ came from that.

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Following the album’s mixing by Alan O’Duffy (and the end of two months solid work), Paul and Linda held a party for 200 specially invited guests aboard the Queen Mary ocean liner which was docked in Long Beach Harbor in California.

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Paul played Bill Black’s bass on Cook of the House. Black had used the same instrument on Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak Hotel.

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The sleeve of At The Speed Of Sound was designed by Aubrey ‘Po’ Powell from Hipgnosis, the design team that had made Wings’ two previous albums; Band on the Run and Venus and Mars. Hipgnosis are also known for their iconic work with bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.

Spirits of Ancient Egypt

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Time To Hide

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Jimmy’s tracks ‘Medicine Jar’ (from ‘Venus and Mars’) and ‘Wino Junko’ (from ‘At The Speed Of Sound’) - both written by Jimmy and friend Colin Allen - refer to his problems with resiting ‘extremes’. ‘Medicine Jar’ in particular is a warning to himself.

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Junior’s Farm’ (b/w ‘Sally G’ also recorded in Nashville) was released as a single in October 1974.

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The shoot for the album cover was photographed by Linda at the Odeon cinema in London’s Leicester Square. Two men on ladders moved the letters around and a cherry picker - normally used to change streetlights - was borrowed from the London Corporation. Photos from the shoot can be seen in the Deluxe Edition of the reissue.

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Paul had a ceramic circular disc made with the album cover on to be worn on a necklace. He gave one to everybody in the crew as a thank you.

Medicine Jar

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Must Do Something About It

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Once the primary recording in New Orleans was over, Paul and Linda gave a wrap party held on a river boat called ‘Voyageur’ which cruised down the Mississippi. Performers at the party included the Tuxedo Brass Band, Chocolate Milk and The Meters.

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Paul - whilst discussing recording ‘Beware My Love’ with Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham included on the Deluxe Edition of ‘At The Speed Of Sound’ - lists his top three drummers as Ringo Starr, Keith Moon and Bonham.

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‘Time To Hide’, features a ‘Gizmotron’ (an instrument invented by Lol Crème from the band 10cc and used on their hit ‘I’m Not In Love’).

Call Me Back Again

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San Ferry Anne

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The singles released from the album were ‘Listen To What The Man Said’ (which went to number 1 in the US), ‘Letting Go’, and ‘Venus and Mars / Rock Show’.

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Paul’s friend Dave Mason (formerly guitarist with Traffic) was playing a show in New Orleans and dropped by the studio to say hi. At the time Paul was laying down the basic track for ‘Listen To What The Man Said’ and invited Dave to join in. Dave’s impromptu guitar part ended up being used on the album.

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At The Speed Of Sound was Paul’s seventh album since the breakup of The Beatles.

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The track Warm and Beautiful is one of Paul’s favourite melodies.

Listen To What The Man Said

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Warm and Beautiful

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In September of 1975 Wings rehearsed at Elstree Studios in Herfortshire for the first leg of a thirteen month world tour which would take in ten countries and be immortalised by the album ‘Wings over America’ and live film ‘Rock Show’. Both releases were remastered and reissued in 2013 with ‘Wings over America’ winning the GRAMMY for ‘Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package’.

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The singles released from ‘At The Speed Of Sound’ were ‘Silly Love Songs’ (which went to number 1 in the U.S.) and ‘Let ‘Em In’, (which reached number 2 in the UK).

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The B-sides from the album were ‘Beware My Love’ (B-side of ‘Let ‘Em In’) and ‘Cook of the House’ (B-Side of ‘Silly Love Songs).

Treat Her Gently /Lonely Old People

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The track ‘Crossroads’ was a cover of the theme tune to the popular soap opera of the same name which ran from 1964-88 on the ITV channel in the UK. The theme was written by Tony Hatch who also wrote the song ‘Downtown’ as well as the theme for Australian soap opera ‘Neighbours’. Wings’ version of ‘Crossroads’ was used from time-to-time on the show, usually when the episode ended on an emotional cliffhanger.